State No. 1 in volunteer rate

SPRINGFIELD — The Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service (Serve Illinois) is commending the state’s 2.57 million volunteers who made a difference through volunteerism last year. Illinois volunteers served nearly 320 million total hours, which is valued at $7.2 billion.

“Illinois has a strong tradition of neighbors helping neighbors,” said Scott McFarland, executive director of the Serve Illinois Commission. “Across our state, we see volunteers working in schools, helping the homeless, preparing for and responding to disasters, supporting faith-based organizations, protecting the environment, and supporting economic improvement. When communities volunteer, we see an increase in economic strength and education and a decrease in crime.”

The recently released 2013 Volunteering and Civic Life in America report shows that 2.57 million Illinoisans demonstrated their commitment to improving their communities by volunteering. This ranks Illinois the top volunteering state out of the eight most-populated.

The Corporation for National and Community Service issued the annual report in partnership with the National Council on Citizenship, the U.S. Census Bureau, and the Bureau for Labor Statistics. The complete report is available at www.VolunteeringInAmerica.gov.

To find a volunteer opportunity, nominate a volunteer for the Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards, or learn more about the Serve Illinois Commission and volunteerism in Illinois, visit www.Serve.Illinois.gov.